The leaders of Russia and Kazakhstan have taken part in a forum of the governors of their mutual border regions. The annual meeting of 12 Russian and 7 Kazakh governors is seen as vital for co-operation.

Both President Putin and the Kazakh President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, focused on high technology co-operation during this fourth annual meeting.

Speaking at the forum President Putin also praised co-operation in business and social spheres.

“Growing interest towards the forum from the business and social structures of the bordering territories is conditioned in the first place by the high-level of the Russia-Kazakhstan partnership. And of course, by the sincere interest of the people to develop closer contacts and just be good old friends and neighbors as they should be. Interregional and border contacts between Russia and Kazakhstan contribute significantly to the overall growth of the bilateral economic cooperation. Only for the first seven months of this year mutual trade turnover increased by 40% percent, exceeding $US 9 BLN,” Mr Putin said.